The surface

I have only had normal discs with silve matt surface. You can write on them
with a special pen. It does not look that good, but it is good enough for me.
The socalled printable or
full printable can be written upon with a printer. I have not tried it. They
look nicer, they are typically white and cost a little more.

CD-R

The best CD-R media are produced by Taiyo Yuden, second best Verbatim (Super) AZO,
depending on the location of production. You can buy the Taiyo Yuden CD-R media "unbranded",
but otherwise these are Taiyo Yuden: Plextor CD-R, Verbatim Pastel CD-R, Verbatim Extra Protection CD-R Made in Japan
(must be Made in Japan).

2. Verbatim AZO (new name) or Super AZO (old name) produced in
Taiwan, China or Mexico are as good as Taiyo Yuden (produced in India is of
lower quality, but still better than most ofther discs).